Search brisbanetimes:

Search in:

Shock resignations to prompt reshuffle

Prime Minister Julia Gillard is facing a major reshuffle of her front bench with the news that two of her senior ministers are resigning.

Chris Evans will announce his retirement as government leader in the Senate and minister for tertiary education, skills, science and research.

Just hours after the news of Senator Evans’ impending departure broke, it was reported Attorney-General Nicola Roxon would also resign from cabinet this morning.

It is understood that Ms Roxon will remain in parliament and quit politics at the September 14 election, which Prime Minister Julia Gillard called just two days ago.

Advertisement

Ms Roxon will likely be replaced by Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change Mark Dreyfus QC, a former Melbourne barrister.

The departures would mean Ms Gillard would have to reshuffle her front bench during the lengthy unofficial election campaign.

Senator Evans’ WA Senate colleague, Mark Bishop, said the senator’s Perth colleagues had been aware for ‘‘some time’’ that the commute to Canberra was taking its toll.

‘‘I think the actual timing is a surprise,’’ he said on Friday night. ‘‘Chris has been commenting to people for some time that he is tired.’’

He said the resignation could have serious organisational and political ‘‘consequences’’ for Labor in WA.

‘‘Chris had access to everyone who was important in Western Australia ... the government will lose that inside edge,’’ Senator Bishop said.

Other commentators have speculated that Immigration Minister Chris Bowen was likely to be moved into the higher education and skills portfolio. It also suggested Housing Minister Brendan O’Connor may take the immigration portfolio, while Stephen Conroy was believed to be keen to succeed Senator Evans as government leader of the Senate.

It is understood that Victorian senator Kim Carr may also put his hand up for the job.

A spokeswoman for Senator Conroy, who is the government’s deputy Senate leader, said she could not confirm he would move to take the reins from Senator Evans.

A spokesman for Mr Bowen said he was unable to comment on the expected resignation or any cabinet reshuffle. AAP